Cheverton, Williams Make Canadian National Team

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just weeks into the summer season, two Buckeyes are already making impacts on the international level after competing at the Canadian World Championship Trials last weekend in Victoria, B.C. The success continues for Samantha Cheverton and Michelle Williams, who has made the Canadian National Team and will represent Canada at the Pan Pacific Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“We are proud to have Michelle and Sam represent Canada this coming summer in both Glasgow and Gold Coast, Australia,” said head coach Bill Dorenkott. “I believe that this meet will serve as a catalyst for our program. We expect to have more young ladies excel at the national and international level this summer as we head toward Rio in 2016.”

Cheverton has been on the Canadian National Team since 2010 and continues to train with the Buckeyes at a postgraduate. Engaged to former men’s swimmer Justin Farra, who is enrolled in Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law, they plan to settle in Columbus upon his graduation. Last weekend, Cheverton finished second in the 200 freestyle (1:59.28), fourth in the 400 freestyle (4:14.02) and seventh in the 100 freestyle (55.93) at the trials.

“Sam has been one of the most consistent performers in Canadian swimming history over the past four years,” said Dorenkott. “But the truth is that the rest of the world is getting better and we need to up our game if we want to remain competitive.”

Williams, who earned her first nod on the Canadian National Team, placed fourth in the 50 butterfly (26.99), fourth in the 100 freestyle (55.57) and fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.60). In the prelims, she clocked a time of 55.53 in the 100 freestyle to claim the third seed.

“To say that Michelle is deserving of her success would be an understatement,” said Dorenkott. “She has endured more setbacks than any athlete I have coached. And, she has done it with an unwavering belief that she was capable of achieving her goals.”